Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry) vs Bob Gordon Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry) vs Bob Gordon Elderberry

Hippophae rhamnoides l.

Sambucus canadensis Bob Gordon

Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry)
Bob Gordon Elderberry

Sea Buckthorn, aka Seaberry, is a nitrogen fixing shrub that produces attractive berries high in vitamin C.

While we can't confirm claims that the berries are effective in treating various ailments, many people believe consuming the berries helps with arthritis, infections, and asthma, among other things.

Sea Buckthorn plants have attractive pale silvery-green leaves, dense branches, and large thorns, people like to grow in ornamental hedges or as a first row in a shelterbelt.

Note: Sea Buckthorn is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Both are required for fruit production, though only female plants bear fruit. A plant’s sex typically cannot be identified until its third or fourth year. Our seedlings are too young to determine their sex.

Bob Gordon Elderberry is a Black Elderberry cultivar that produces berries that are larger and sweeter than other varieties, making it one of the top cultivars. It produces large clusters of white flowers that turn into large clusters of dark purple to black berries. The berries are well-suited for baked goods, jams, jellies, and syrups. It was selected from the wild in Missouri.

The large berry clusters that the Bob Gordon Elderberry produces will often end up hanging downward. This makes it more difficult for birds to feed on the berries. If birds are a concern, this might be the right berry for you.

Black Elderberries are considered to be partially self-pollinating. So while they will still produce some berries without cross-pollination, planting with another variety will increase yields. Consider planting with Black Elderberry or Ranch Elderberry.

Warning: the seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries are toxic to humans when eaten in quantity. Berries should be cooked to make them safe for human consumption.

Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry) Quick Facts

Bob Gordon Elderberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $1.29 - SAVE UP TO 82%
Lowest Price: $16.49 - SAVE UP TO 21%
Zone: 2b
Zone: 3a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: high


Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Foliage: slender silvery-green leaves
Flowers: fragrant, white
Berries: small, edible
Berries: black
Harvest: late summer to early fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no

In row spacing: 0.9 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Other Names: sallowthorn, sandthorn, seaberry
Other Names: bob gordon american elderberry, bob gordon black elderberry